"The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure." ~Tibetan Proverb

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

This Side of Paradise

Another Fitzgerald post: F.Ssott Fitzgerald wrote the novel, This Side of Paradise, while living in this brownstone apartment building on 593/599 Summit Avenue. He had met Zelda, his future wife, while serving in the army. Originally she had not wanted to marry Scott because of his uncertain financial future, but after the publication of the novel, she apparently changed her mind. They did not remain long in Minnesota and led a busy, often debt-ridden existence, as international icons of the Jazz Age. For two other views of this historic building, visit this site.Today in Minnesota History: 1902- The steamer Bannockburn and its twenty-member crew is seen for the last time as it sets forth from Duluth, later disappearing somewhere on Lake Superior. (Reference: mnhs.org)

I know this sounds like it's getting into a series, but I can't help it! This house also reminds me of London, or at least the best part of it, where I was privileged to live for my last 12 years in my home city. Hampstead. Also, Sintra, Portugal,which I just started posting a series of pics on in my place tonight. It is a really great house, this one. A lot of character, befitting a struggling debt-ridden lit. icon to be!